Past consultations for the redesign of the federal homelessness program

Advisory Committee on Homelessness

After the National Housing Strategy consultations in 2016, we committed in Budget 2017 to consult with Canadians on how to redesign the Homelessness Partnering Strategy and create a panel to give advice to the Honorable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

On June 22, 2017, the Minister announced the membership of the Advisory Committee on Homelessness, chaired by Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary (Housing and Urban Affairs) to Minister Duclos. The Advisory Committee on Homelessness had 13 members from outside of government and from across the country that represented diverse regions and cultures, Canada's 2 official languages, as well as people who have experienced homelessness.

The focus of the Advisory Committee's work was to provide Employment and Social Development Canada with potential ways forward for the redesign of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. The Committee had a mandate to:

• Explore the ideas heard through the National Housing Strategy engagement process in greater depth.
• Undertake targeted engagement with experts, communities, and stakeholders.
• Analyze options for the renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy.

The Advisory Committee on Homelessness held 10 roundtables across the country with experts, communities, people who have experienced homelessness, Indigenous organizations, and others across the country. The Advisory Committee on Homelessness submitted the Final report of the Advisory Committee on Homelessness to Minister Duclos in May 2018 to help guide him in the redesign of the federal homelessness program.

Online consultation

Between July 17, 2017 and September 15, 2017, we held an online feedback process with quick polls and surveys open to all Canadians.

Almost 500 surveys were submitted from individuals and organizations from most provinces and territories, across all age groups (18 years of age or older) and with various backgrounds and perspectives on how to address homelessness.

As well, 678 people from across the country answered online quick polls with their opinions on the extent of homelessness in their community or across Canada.

In addition to the online surveys, some organizations and individuals shared their feedback through electronic submissions. These included emails with program ideas, as well as in-depth analysis and reports on homelessness and recommendations for the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. Some organizations also shared promising practices to address homelessness at the community level that could be applied across the country.

Employment and Social Development Canada would like to thank everyone who sent in their stories and feedback to help reduce and prevent homelessness in Canada. A summary of your feedback has been shared in the Homelessness Partnering Strategy Engagement: What We Heard Report 2018.

Related links

• Biographies of the members of the Advisory Committee on Homelessness